7 Shocking Behind-the-Scenes Stories Joey 'Coco' Diaz Told About The Longest Yard (2005)
Few roles define a comedian's transition to a character actor quite like Anthony "Big Tony" Cobianco in the 2005 remake of The Longest Yard. For fans of the raw, unfiltered comedy of Joey "Coco" Diaz, his appearance alongside Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, and the late Burt Reynolds was a watershed moment. As of December 2025, Diaz continues to revisit this pivotal period of his career on his podcasts, offering fresh, hilarious, and surprisingly emotional insights into the making of the Happy Madison classic, revealing the high-stakes pressure and chaotic energy of working with Hollywood legends.
This article dives deep into the most recent and compelling stories Diaz has shared about his time on the set of the prison football comedy, detailing everything from his initial hopes for stardom to a surprisingly physical encounter with the original star, Burt Reynolds. These anecdotes, often shared on The Church of What's Happening Now or Uncle Joey's Joint, paint a vivid picture of a comedian trying to make his mark in the big leagues.
Joey 'Coco' Diaz: A Brief Biography and Filmography Profile
José Antonio Díaz, known universally as Joey "Coco" Diaz, is a Cuban-American stand-up comedian, actor, podcaster, and author renowned for his distinctive, gravelly voice and brutally honest storytelling.
- Full Name: José Antonio Díaz
- Born: February 19, 1963
- Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
- Career Start: Stand-up comedy in Denver, Colorado, after a stint in prison in the 1980s.
- The Podcasting Empire: Diaz gained massive popularity through his long-running podcast, The Church of What's Happening Now (co-hosted by Lee Syatt), and his current show, Uncle Joey's Joint.
- Signature Style: Known for his "Madflavor" persona, which is characterized by raw, explicit, and often exaggerated stories from his tumultuous life.
Key Film and Television Roles:
Joey Diaz has amassed an impressive filmography, often playing memorable, rough-around-the-edges characters. His most notable appearances include:
- The Longest Yard (2005): Anthony "Big Tony" Cobianco
- Spider-Man 2 (2004): The Train Passenger (a small but memorable role)
- My Name Is Earl (2007-2008): Joey the Candy Bar Guy
- Grudge Match (2013): Sal
- The Many Saints of Newark (2021): Buddah
- Taxi (2004)
The Role That Was Supposed to Change Everything: Big Tony Cobianco
Diaz’s character, Anthony "Big Tony" Cobianco, is one of the inmates recruited by Paul Crewe (Adam Sandler) to play for the Mean Machine against the prison guards. Big Tony is immediately recognizable by his imposing stature and thick New York accent, bringing a touch of authentic, street-level humor to the ensemble cast.
1. "I Thought This Movie Would Change My Life"
One of the most poignant stories Diaz frequently shares is the immense pressure and expectation he placed on The Longest Yard. He has candidly spoken about being at a precarious point in his career and personal life when he landed the role.
He viewed the film, a major studio production with Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison, as his one shot at mainstream success that would fundamentally alter his trajectory. The sheer scale of the production, the A-list cast, and the massive paycheck led him to believe his days of struggling were over. The reality, as he often recounts with a mix of dark humor and reflection, was that while the movie was a success, it didn't immediately launch him into the superstardom he envisioned, forcing him to continue grinding in the comedy world.
2. The Iconic "Can a Corn" Line
Joey Diaz is known for his improvisational skills, and while the script for The Longest Yard was tight, he managed to sneak in a moment of pure "Coco" flavor that became one of his character’s most quoted lines.
During a scene where the inmates are training or discussing the upcoming game, Big Tony delivers a bizarre, yet hilarious, line about being fine if he can just have "Can a corn. Can a corn I'll be fine." This line, which is a perfect example of his absurd, off-the-cuff humor, has been singled out by fans and even Diaz himself as a favorite moment. It’s a testament to director Peter Segal’s willingness to let the comedians in the cast, like Diaz and Chris Rock, inject their unique personalities into the material.
3. The Day Burt Reynolds "Roughs Up" Joey Diaz
Perhaps the most-requested anecdote from Diaz’s time on set involves the legendary Burt Reynolds, who starred as the lead in the original 1974 film and played Coach Nate Scarborough in the 2005 remake.
Diaz recounts a hilarious and slightly terrifying moment where Reynolds, known for his old-school, tough-guy demeanor, decided to get physical with him during a scene. The story, detailed on his podcast, involves Reynolds unexpectedly grabbing Diaz and physically "roughing him up," not out of malice, but as a spontaneous, unscripted moment of method acting or just pure Burt Reynolds energy. Diaz, a large man himself, was genuinely shocked by the strength and intensity of the veteran actor, making for a fantastic, unforgettable behind-the-scenes tale of the old guard meeting the new.
Working with the Comedy Titans: Sandler, Rock, and Segal
The 2005 cast was a murderers' row of comedic talent, and Diaz’s interactions with Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, and director Peter Segal were key to his experience on the film.
4. The Adam Sandler Effect: Professionalism and Support
Working on a Happy Madison production means working under the umbrella of Adam Sandler, a known supporter of his friends and fellow comedians. Diaz has always spoken highly of Sandler's professionalism and the supportive atmosphere he creates on set. Sandler's presence, according to Diaz, was the engine that drove the entire production, allowing comedians like himself and Chris Rock to have the freedom to be funny while keeping the massive sports comedy on track.
5. The Director's Trust: Peter Segal's Open Set
Director Peter Segal, who also directed Sandler in Anger Management and 50 First Dates, was instrumental in allowing Diaz to bring his unique flavor to Big Tony. Segal, who has appeared on Diaz’s podcast, gave the comedians the latitude to improvise and play off one another. This trust is what allowed the "Can a corn" line and other unscripted moments to make it into the final cut, cementing Big Tony as a standout character despite his limited screen time.
6. Meeting Fellow Comedians and Actors: Tait Fletcher and the Ensemble
The set of The Longest Yard was an eclectic mix of actors, comedians, and professional athletes (like Nelly, Michael Irvin, and Bill Romanowski). Diaz has shared stories about the camaraderie and the friendships forged during the filming process. One notable connection was with actor Tait Fletcher, who played the character "Fletch." Diaz has discussed how the intense, shared experience of filming a major movie with a massive ensemble cast created a bond that lasted long after the cameras stopped rolling.
7. The Enduring Legacy of the Prison Football Genre
In his discussions, Diaz often draws comparisons between the 2005 remake and the original 1974 film, acknowledging the legacy of the "prison football" genre. He notes that the core theme—the underdog inmates fighting back against the corrupt system—is what makes the story timeless. His role as Big Tony, one of the tough, loyal inmates on the line of scrimmage, places him directly in the lineage of this classic sports comedy narrative. The film, and his role in it, remains a constant touchstone in his career, a reminder of the time he truly felt he had made it in Hollywood, even if the "change" he expected was a slow burn instead of an explosion.
Joey Diaz's Lasting Impact from The Longest Yard
While The Longest Yard did not instantly turn Joey Diaz into a leading man, it served a far more important purpose: it legitimized him as a versatile performer capable of handling major studio work. The role of Big Tony Cobianco proved that his raw, "Madflavor" persona could be successfully translated to the big screen, opening doors for subsequent roles and ultimately fueling his massive success in the podcasting world. For fans, it’s the definitive cinematic proof of "Uncle Joey's" ability to steal a scene, solidifying his status as a beloved, unfiltered voice in comedy.
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